National Leprosy Eradication Programme was launched in–

Correct option is A

Sol. The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) was officially launched in 1983 to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem in India. It evolved from the earlier National Leprosy Control Programme started in 1955. The use of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) helped drastically reduce prevalence. India achieved elimination target at the national level by 2005. However, the program continues for early case detection and disability prevention.
Explanation of each option:
· (a) 1983 – Correct answer. This marks the formal launch of NLEP, with focus on MDT and eradication.
· (b) 1988 – Incorrect; no significant policy change or launch happened in this year related to NLEP.
· (c) 1993 – WHO declared MDT as standard treatment globally, but NLEP was already launched in India by then.
· (d) 2002 – This year is not associated with NLEP's origin; by this time, India was close to achieving elimination status.